Page 49 of Caught Stealing

Apparently, I’m more turned-on by Phoenix’s glare from across the bar than I am by Kason’s touch. If that isn’t messed up, I don’t know what is.

The weirdest part about this whole thing with Phoenix is Ialwaysseparate myself from my attraction. I never let it cloud my judgment or make me do stupid shit. Or at least, stupid shit I actuallyregret.Yet something about him isn’t letting my old ways stick.

He’s crawled under my skin, burrowed beneath the surface and made a home there. And while it was irritating at first, it’s gotten to the point where…I like him there.Wanthim there.

My eyes sink closed, finally allowing myself to admit what I’ve known for a while now.

I want him.

This stick-up-his-ass, frustrating-as-hell guy who, quite frankly, wants nothing to do with me.

And I don’t know how to navigate it. Nor do I know how to navigate the pure, jealous rage that slams into me when my lids lift to find some random dude chatting it up with him.

Motherfucker. Where the fuck is Theo?

Fury ignites my own blood as I watch the two of them. The curly-haired surfer jackass is noticeably more into the conversation than Phoenix is. Then again, how can he possibly be interested in the guy when his eyes keep darting back to me every three seconds?

But then the fuck-face puts his hand on Phoenix’s arm, and Phoenixsmiles.

Not at the douchenozzle.

Atme.

Oh, hell no.

“Gonna get a drink,” I tell Kason, freeing myself from his grasp. Not waiting for a response, I storm to where Phoenix is still chatting it up with this dickweed, his eyes locked on me the whole way over.

Once I reach the bar, I slide into the space behind Phoenix and slip my arm around his waist.

“Hey, baby,” I say loud enough for numb-nuts to hear me. “You want another drink?”

Cum dumpster’s eyes lift to meet mine, the blue orbs widening when he realizes what I just said. It has the desired effect too, because he quickly removes his hand from Phoenix’s arm.

“Shit. Sorry, man. I didn’t realize.”

He doesn’t wait for a response, just grabs his beer and walks off toward the other end of the bar.

Gold star for the asswipe.

“What the fuck are you doing?” Phoenix seethes. He turns in my arm before attempting to worm his way from my grip. But even when I’m drinking, there’s not a chance in hell of that happening unless I want it to.

“Me? What’reyoudoing?”

His nostrils flare as he aims his infamous death glare at me. “I’m letting loose. Having fun. Isn’t that what we’re supposed to be doing?”

It is, but goddamnit. Not like that. Not when—

“You don’t even know that guy.”

The words come flying out of my mouth before I can stop them, and I really should stop them. What Phoenix does and who he does it with should be of little to no consequence to me. Yet here I am, all ragey and pissed off when another man was justtalkingwith him.

Granted, his hands were on Phoenix, but still.

Something between a smirk and a snarl curls his lip up. “Careful, Holden. That sounds an awful lot like jealousy.”

I’m floored to realize…yeah, I’m jealous. Of some twat-waffle who has nothing to offer Phoenix that I can’t give him myself. The epiphany smacks me clear in the face, and it’s enough to have me releasing him.

He must see it in my eyes as he nods and steps away from me.

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